Improvement in ore-separators



B. F. DAY.

A Ore-Separators.

N0.157,.499. r Patented [Mic-8,1874.

THE GRAFHIO CO.PH bTD-LITH.39&4-I PARK PLACEJLY.

UNITED STATES BENJAMIN F. DAY, OF TAMAQUA, PENNSYLVANIA.

lMPROVEME NT lN oRE-sEPARAToRs.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 157,499, dated December 8,1874; application filed August 29, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. DAY, of I Tamaqua, in the county of Schuylkill and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Separating-Ma chine, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to machines for separating coal from slate, and ores from other materials, when there is a difi'erence in the specific gravity; and consists in exposing the coal or ores to the action of an ascending current of water moving with sufficient velocity to carry forward the coal or lighter material while the slate or ores of greater specific gravity pass down through the column of water. In this manner the desired separation is automatically and completely effected.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a vertical section of Fig. 2 taken on the line w 00. Fig. 2 is a top view.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This latter view of the machine is given with the chute B and the partition D removed, showing the plan and construction of the tanks or compartments of the machine.

A shows a portion of the revolving screen, which is used in all coal-breakers for separatin g the difierent sizes of coal. This screen revolves in the direction indicated by the arrow. The mixed coal and slate after passing through the said screen is conveyed, by means of the chutes B B B, into a column of water ascending with a velocity in proportion to the specific gravity of the material to be separated. The said velocity may be regulated either by the speed of the screw-propeller H, or by the height or head 'of water in the tank A. O is the throat or separating chamber, through which the column of water is moving with a constant and uniform velocity, said chamber having a greater area at the top than at the bottom, thus allowing the water a greater velocity at the bottom, by means of which the materials to be separated are more evenly distributed throughout the chamber or throat. The diii'erence in area between the top and the bottom should be in proportion tothe difference of specific gravity in the materials to be separated. F is a conductor. D is a partition, placed over the top of the chamber 0 to prevent the passage of water, except through the chute E. Over the apex F the bottom of said partition forms the-top of the chute E, and at the same time forms a chute on its upper side, by which the coal may be conveyed directly to the elevators without being passed through the separating-chamber by dropping down the gate G. The screw-propeller H revolves in corrugated cylinder 1, by which means a constant and uniform velocity of circulation of water is maintained. Kis the elevator for removing the coal or other material that has been carried forward. L is the elevator for removing that which has passed down through the column or chamber 0 from the conductor F. M is a pocket or chamber, which receives the coal or other material that has been separated, which material is removed by elevator K. The chamber M is to be provided with grating N, sufficient to allow free exit of water 011 its return to the propeller, and sufficiently close to prevent the coal or other material from passing through. 0 0 is a chute, formed in part of grating, with a trough underneath for drawing the water from the coal or other material after being carried up by the elevator, being perforated to assist in draining. The liiieP indicates the surface of the water when the machine is ready for operation.

The water is kept at a uniform height by means of waste-cocks in the bottom of the tank, which carry off sediment or dirt. The

height of water is also preserved by an overflow at the top of the tank, the said wastecocks and overflow being regulated according to the quantity of water furnished the machine. WVhen the material to be separated is of a very dirty nature the tank should be larger, or a separate tank should be provided to allow the foreign matter time to settle.

Thepropeller is revolved by means of the shaft and pulley Q, and the elevators are revolved by means of the pulley T.

U is a discharge-chute, having a grate, V,

and inclined conducting-board X for returning the coal that passes through the grate to the chamber M. The surplus water is discharged by the gate Z.

Hai 'ingthus described our invention, I claim FFICE- as new and desire to secure by Letters Pat- 3. The combination, with chamber 0 and ent chute E, of the partition D, arranged as spec- I. The combination, with the Water-chamified, to turn the submerged current and preber A and throat O, of the screw-propeller H, vent it from reaching the surface. 7

revolving in a corrugated cylinder, I, as and for the purpose described. BENJAMIN F. DAY.

2. In an ore-separator, the chamber 0, en-

larging from the bottom toward the top for the Witnesses:

purpose of giving the current its greatest ve- T1108. 1). BOONE,

locity at the bottom, as set forth. CHAS. F. LLOYD. 

